Monthly Archives: August 2010

I have to admit I was a bit hesitant to post this just because I feel as though I’m constantly pounding on your doors asking for prayers with novena after novena. But then after a kind, mini lecture from a family member I realized that it’s out of my control that the preliminary hearings and trial dates keep changing. And each time the new trial date begins to arrive it’s once again very emotional and stressful for me and I need your prayers! I was also reminded how scripture tells us to be persistent in our prayers. (Which is why we pray a novena for nine days – to show persistency!) So, for those who would like to join me in praying once again….

Beginning Friday August 27 – Saturday September 4th there will be a Novena of Masses said at The Sanctuary of St. Philomena in Mugnano, Italy for two intentions.

They are being said for:

-The defendant who shot me and who is charged with attempted murder. For her conversion & that she plead guilty.

-And for a special intention.

*If you can’t make it to Mass everyday for the next nine days you could pray a novena prayer to St. Philomena (You can find a novena on my St. Philomena – My Patroness Page) & make a Spiritual Communion.

I really do appreciate all your prayers! And please know that I pray for everyone who’s praying for me and that I’ve been experiencing a lot of grace & peace as a result of your intercession. Thanks!

After a bit of prodding from my sister I’ve changed the look of my blog. I really like it but wish I could change two things. The size of the font/type and a more clear photo of the shield. If anyone knows how to do this I would love to know! 😉

Enjoy the new look!

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I received an email from the District Attorney about the outcome of the brief pre-trial hearing this morning. The case is set for another pre-trial hearing on Sept.13th with the understanding that trial would begin on Sept 15th.

Hopefully this will be the last time it’s rescheduled! Thank you for all of your prayers and support during this difficult time. I appreciate it more then words can say!

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I just found out that the attorney’s are going to court this Wed to postpone the trial since my newly appointed Deputy District Attorney will be out of town for the original trial date of Aug 26. The new DA is hoping it will be rescheduled for Sept. 1st.

I’m trying hard to be positive and think that perhaps the defendant needs this extra time to decide to plead guilty. But I’m having a really hard time with yet another postponement. There’s been sooo many and I’m tired of this dragging out. I just want this to be done and over with. *sniff* I’m praying that this will be the last postponement!

I’ll let you know as soon as the new date is confirmed.

Thanks for all of the prayers! Despite being frustrated and a bit emotional I have a lot of peace knowing that so many are praying & supporting me through all of this!

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“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generations. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. H has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. H has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”

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I just received an email from the DA and she said that the trial date is set for August 24 as 6 or 10 which means we will be sent out for trial on August 26 to a trial court where jury selection will begin. Most likely it will take 1.5 to 2 days to select a jury, (it depends on the court, some are quicker than others, it can take 3 days in a slow court) then testimony begins. I will most likely be the first witness, and then will be subject to recall. The trial may take about a week or so. That’s all I know for now. I’m working on making plans for the trip and stay in CA. Please pray that God will provide us with everything we need as well as the funds to cover it all!

Please continue to pray that April (the defendant) pleads guilty and for her conversion and that I can attend & speak at the sentencing. Please also pray that the dates aren’t changed! Thanks again for all the prayers. Words cannot express how grateful I am for them!

Quick FYI – I’m headed to our family cabin in the woods for a little vacation with family and won’t have a ton of access to internet (only some) until Thursday evening.

Artist Mic Carlson was commissioned to paint this lovely painting of Saint Philomena. Saint Philomena is a saint who has received extraordinary honor in the Church from popes, bishops, saints, and mystics. Pope Gregory XVI referred to her as the “wonder-worker” of the nineteenth century. Bl. Pope Pius IX declared her the “Patroness of the Children of Mary.” St. John Vianney attributed all of his miracles to her, stating, “I have never asked for anything through the intercession of my Little Saint without having been answered.”

In 1802, excavators working in the ancient Catacombs of St. Priscilla in Rome discovered a tomb with three terra-cotta slabs reading PAXTE; CUMFI; LUMENA which means “Peace Be With You, Filumena.” The slabs were marked with a lily, arrows, an anchor and a palm, indicating virginity and martyrdom. Inside were the remains of a girl of about thirteen years of age, along with a vial of her dried blood which signified that this was indeed a Martyr who died for the love of Christ and Christianity.

The Relics were transferred to the Treasury of the Rare Collections of Christian Antiquity in the Vatican where they remained for three years. In 1805, a priest from Mugnano del Cardinale, Don Francesco De Lucia, traveling to Rome with his newly appointed Bishop, requested and eventually received the relics of this Martyr “Filumena” to enshrine in his village church in Mugnano del Cardinale, Av, Italy. To this day, miracles are numerous and brilliant.

Mic was given holy oil from St. Philomena’s Sanctuary in Mugnano, Italy and he mixed the holy oil with his oil paints used to paint her! Father Mike Alber cried as he unveiled Mic’s painting.

The wife of the man who commissioned Mic to paint this saint has been diagnosed with an incurable melanoma cancer on the inside of her body. After talking to his parish priest Fr. Mike Alber of St. John Vianney’s Church, the man decided to dedicate a painting to St. Philomena who has been known to heal tough causes. Since that day, his wife has amazingly been in somewhat of a remission…something that has not happened since she was diagnosed.

There was a private unveiling last evening, Wednesday, August 4th for the family that commissioned Mic…who wish to remain anonymous…followed by a mass and unveiling for the church. It was so touching.

There was a testimony by Rosario Rodriguez, a young lady who was shot a year ago in an armed robbery…the bullet just missed her heart by 1 cm..and after much time in surgery and many prayers to St. Philomena for intercession in her healing…she lives. She said St. Philomena, who is constantly by her side, helped intercede in saving and healing her.

Needless to say, it was an emotional, beautiful ceremony…St. John Vianney’s Church on Clyde Park in Grand Rapids, MI is the permanent home for Mic’s painting. I am so proud.

~Mass was beautiful and as for the painting of St. Philomena… she’s absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! Seriously stunning! It is truly her. Mic Carlson did an incredible job! ~Rosario Rodriguez

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To bring the story of Rosario's miraculous survival and recovery to your school, group, or event or to send Rosario a personal message rather than a public comment, please email her at info@RosarioRodriguez.org